Intro
Karnataka athletes shine with strong performances on opening day in Bhubaneswar
Bengaluru
Karnataka athletes Priyanka C and Krishik Manjunatha delivered standout performances to clinch gold medals on the opening day of the National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.
Priyanka etched her name in history by becoming the first woman to win gold at the Indoor Nationals, securing top spot in the women’s 3000m event. The 22-year-old clocked an impressive 9:42.05, finishing ahead of Kajal Kandwade of Gujarat and Odisha’s Susmita Tigga.
Competing on an indoor track for the first time, Priyanka admitted the race posed unique challenges, including unfamiliar track conditions and the demands of running multiple laps. Despite this, she displayed composure and endurance to claim the top podium finish.
In the men’s section, Krishik Manjunatha secured gold in the 60m hurdles, clocking 7.71 seconds in a closely contested final. He edged out Rathish Pandidurai in a photo finish, capitalising on the absence of national record holder Tejas Shirse.
Karnataka’s medal tally was further boosted by Kalyan JR, who clinched silver in the men’s 800m final. He finished behind favourite Mohammed Afsal, who set a new benchmark in the indoor event with a time of 1:47.86.
Elsewhere, Tamil Nadu’s Baranica Elangovan delivered a record-breaking performance in the women’s pole vault. The 29-year-old cleared 4.22m, surpassing the previous outdoor national record and underlining her dominance in the discipline.
The inaugural edition of the Indoor Championships has already showcased high-quality performances across categories, with athletes adapting quickly to indoor conditions. Events such as long jump, shot put and middle-distance races witnessed intense competition, setting the tone for the remainder of the meet.
With multiple states fielding strong contingents, the championships are expected to provide a crucial platform for athletes to test themselves in a new competitive format and build momentum for upcoming national and international events.